Longing for God’s Judgments

“Soul” is the Hebrew word that speaks of the life or soul of an individual.  The word essentially refers to the “alive-ness” of a being.  Its concrete meaning is likely “to breathe” and speaks of the refreshment or sustenance that the clean breath of air gives.  The related forms in the related languages refer to the throat.

From this we can gather that David is referring to his essential being, that which makes him David.  We have already noted that he clearly understood that his entire well-being was wrapped up in his walk with God.  There is no question but that his spiritual life was to him, the most important part of his life.  It is this that he refers to in this verse.

“Breaks” is used only twice in the Old Testament.  The root term was used of Adam and Eve being expelled from the garden and of Cain being expelled from God’s presence.  The word denotes separation and here it speaks of the need of David’s soul (and thus his life) being separated from that which would sustain it.

Specifically, it refers to the effect on David’s soul at being separated from the Word – it is crushed or broken.  “Longing” speaks of intense desire.  The combination of the words speaks of the tremendous longing that David felt fro the Word and the distress, real and profound that he felt when that longing was not satisfied.

It seems like this is almost a summary of a couple of the ideas we have seen thus far.  David had a very strong and intense desire to know and keep the Word of God.  That desire was virtually physical and was distressing to him at times.  We seem like we are almost speaking of an emotional thing here.  It is almost as if David is love sick for the Scriptures.

While we may see this kind of expression as extreme, we cannot help but be challenged by it!  How wonderful is it to see this kind of love for God and His Word portrayed for us.  My love for God and for the Word is not in this class.  I doubt if my love for God Himself is this passionate, let alone for His Word.  This is a challenge to me as I need to be a lover of God’s Word!  Is it my entire life to me if I don’t spend my time in the Word?

It is interesting that David chooses “judgments” to speak of the Word in this verse.  It is the word that refers to ordinances or laws that we have seen before.  It would be one thing for David to love passionately God and His mercy and encouragement.  But for him to proclaim love for God’s ordinances is truly challenging!  David loved and longed to know what God’s standards were so that he could keep tem and walk in them!

“All the time” translates a Hebrew particle that speaks of a season or a time.  The root speaks of a response and here applies to time and the frequency or regularity of the response of love on his part for the Word.

This response was always with him.  It was not something he could turn on and off.  It was always there.  This is because it was a function of his character.  It was a part of this very being, of his soul and he could not help but long for the Word as his body longed for air or his flesh would long for water.

Again we can only note how very much of a challenge this is to me.  My own desire to study and be in the Word is strong, but not like this!  O Lord – move in me to create such a longing for your Law!  Let me pine for the knowledge of your judgments and for the keeping of them!  Then – O – then will I be the man David was and then will I be what I can be!